Two years ago when I was first sniffing a Super Tenere, I test road a 2022 Tracer GT. The ergonomics were way off for me. Handle bar reach, angle, grip, display......just off.
Seat position and foot pegs, kati-wampus. The foot pegs were in the way when my feet were on the ground.
Wind screen and air flow disappointing. The whole bike didn't do a damn thing for me.
Since Bambi did a Scud Attack on Big Daddy, I was at Sturgis Motorsports with the intent of test riding a Vstrom 800 Touring. There's been a 2025 Tracer 9 on the floor for a couple weeks but I had no interest. The sales manager asked if I wanted to test ride it. I told him I wasn't interested. He told me, "Yamaha made some changes, you need to take it for a ride". Okay! So I did. WOW! Completely different bike. I was impressed. It flat fit. The wind screen and air flow, though, not a Vstream, was pretty darn good for stock. The triple motor goes without saying. Smooth and quiet. Although, I do miss the clinking, clanking, clattering of the S-10.
It has all the basic amenities and ride modes of today's modern bikes. And it has hand guards and cruise control! It doesn't have heated grips, but Yamaha offers the option.
I did test ride the Vstrom 800. Awesome motor and transmission. I didn't notice any vibration, but the mirrors were totally blurred.
It felt way more top heavy than the Tracer, and the overall build quality didn't match the Yamaha. And the stock wind screen absolutely sucked. No surprise there. A Vstream will completely fix that.
So I pulled the trigger and placed a deposit on the Tracer. Now, I just have to lock horns with the insurance company.